Starcraft Mariner V to shallow/narrow for a center console?

[Azonic]

Just looking for some opinions here...

I really like center consoles for the move around aspect..

I like the dual consoles for the sit next to me buddy while we tool out to our spot...

So I am a bit torn...

Guess there is a hidden question here..

What is the purpose for a center VS duals...
I know they both serve a purpose.... What are they?

Thanks

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Starcraft Mariner V to shallow/narrow for a center console?

Azonic I dont remember how big your boat actually is but it looks like maybe 18' if thats the case you should be able to do a center console on it if thats what you want.


Rick

 

[Azonic]

Re: Starcraft Mariner V to shallow/narrow for a center console?

ah, flaw in my question... not enough info!

It is a 16'

I like the idea... jus think she may be too shallow...

I want to figure out if my little 3 hp johnson would work well as a kicker

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Starcraft Mariner V to shallow/narrow for a center console?

OK 16' may be a bit tight for a center console but you could leave it a side console and get rid of the other console leaving plenty of room to get around .



Rick

 

[Azonic]

Re: Starcraft Mariner V to shallow/narrow for a center console?

This picture is to "relative" scale...

I measured a variety of items and made a rough shape of the boat...

The center console is a full 2' wide and about 40-44" tall...
(just so the wheel hits my waist)

The seats are fold down from the console

Bench seat behind, padded, with a flip top head for access to the cooler.

The livewell/minow tank is righ behind it...

Place for the gas cans, battery, etc...

Storage under the bow cap, and under the console...

Rod holders on the front of the console...

Leaves 15" of walk around room by the console...

Console is about 7-71/2' or almost dead center of the boat...

Thanks for the input/suggestions guys.....

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: Starcraft Mariner V to shallow/narrow for a center console?

Azonic the concept looks good but 15" isnt alot of room maybe a narrower CC would work but I dont think a 2'er would leave you enough room to get around I would either go with a narrower CC or stick to side console. You might try laying things out on the garage floor with Tape ( if you can find enough floor ) and see what you think full scale.


Rick

 

[evildocrsx]

Re: Starcraft Mariner V to shallow/narrow for a center console?

It seems to me like you want your boat for fishing. I had a 14ft center console and it had more space and was more comfortable to fish in than my 16ft dual console, that was until I cut both console out.

 

[Azonic]

Re: Starcraft Mariner V to shallow/narrow for a center console?

I did buy this boat with the specific intention of going fishing with the kids.

I want to be able to take 4 people if I need to, so the wife can come along.
(she is not a big fishing person)

I can make the console from some cardboard and see how big it is.
The 2' was just a good guess on size...

I am going to measure the width between the consoles as they exist now, and see how wide that is. It seems to be a good with, I can fit through with out turning sideways...

I like the lay her out in tape idea.... I think I can find that space on the floor in the shop....

And do not worry..
I am not going to paint things those colors....

I do think I need to make the cooler and LW taller though...

 

[Azonic]

Re: Starcraft Mariner V to shallow/narrow for a center console?

I may split the Live Well into 2 and make 2 corner units...
that way a person can circle the whole boat....

Make one a minnow bin, the other a live well....

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Starcraft Mariner V to shallow/narrow for a center console?

I did buy this boat with the specific intention of going fishing with the kids.

I want to be able to take 4 people if I need to, so the wife can come along.
(she is not a big fishing person)

I can make the console from some cardboard and see how big it is.
The 2' was just a good guess on size...

I am going to measure the width between the consoles as they exist now, and see how wide that is. It seems to be a good with, I can fit through with out turning sideways...

I like the lay her out in tape idea.... I think I can find that space on the floor in the shop....

And do not worry..
I am not going to paint things those colors....

I do think I need to make the cooler and LW taller though...

My opinion..

A CC (while great for 2 guys seriously fishin) does not lend itself to comfort for your family..I think thats why bow riders/dual consoles are fairly popular..

Allows acess to the bow to follow that big fish AND seating for your passenger opposite the cptn's helm..

 

[Azonic]

Re: Starcraft Mariner V to shallow/narrow for a center console?

Primary purpose of the boat is to take me and one of the kids out fishing.

My son @ 13 is fine as an independant fisherman.. (almost)

My daughter @ 8 is learning...

From time to time I take them both, hence the fold down seats..

And there is a chance my wife may want to go out on the little boat with us if we go camping and fishing... Hence the bench seating...

I will redo a config tonight with a new idea...

I think as stated I will split the Live well.

Maybe move the console back a bit, make it a touch smaller, and make 2 smaller coolers... one behind the cc, one in front... Not sure...

At this point, it looks and feels like I can have lots of room, but that room goes away fast once you start building....

I want to take out the floor this winter, and once i have a new one in, model the CC in cardboard...

BTW.... how do you get the controls to the back? under deck?

 

[Greendiver]

Re: Starcraft Mariner V to shallow/narrow for a center console?

Azonic, what a decision! (I know, I'm there meself!)

re: the controls, mine has (ahem, umm, had) a trough or a channel running alongside of the starboard stringer that held the steering and control cables.

Here is a photo that NorthBeach uploaded of a '71 brochure that shows the CC Mariners. Doesn't include the 16' though....

I am toying with a 36" width console so to allow 2 side-by-side, or dual console pushed way forward. Decisions, decisions!

Cardboard mock-ups sound like a good idea to help visualize.

Whatever you decide, keep us posted!

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Starcraft Mariner V to shallow/narrow for a center console?

I would slim down the console a bit like Rick suggested and make sure it is a full walk-around.

I've spent countless hours thinking about how I would do the same thing to a 15' Holiday that I've been letting the price fall on since march/april(i even have a thread dedicated to this boat...and yes fellas I am still planning on buying that thing as soon as my 12' tinny is done in a couple months).

I think for a 15'-16' the console's got to be minimized as far as width. Height not a problem unless you've got a low garage clearance.

Check out the Klamath boats website...they build center console aluminum fishing boats of this size and not a bad place for ideas on how to arrange things www.klamathboats.com

I like your plans and wish you luck

 

[Azonic]

Re: Starcraft Mariner V to shallow/narrow for a center console?

So this is a hybrid design...

I failed to make the Console narrower in the layout, but for all intents and purposes, I plan to lay it out to full scale in the shop floor, with a cardboard CC before final plans are cut from expensive wood...

Plan here is, remove the gas cans from the back.
Place a fuel cell in the front.

Make very shallow Live Wells in the back, more of a minnow keeper.
in the corners. Could double as a set of seats as needed...

This gives great all around walk around in the boat this way.

Saw a thread or two on moving the tank! Will also make sure I have an backup port for a portable tank if needed for emergancy situations.

Move the Console back some, shorten the cooler.

Make a front cooler/Live well.... More live well I am thinking...

Rod holders mounted on the CC, and rod hangers down the sides...

I intend to makea few little bin holders along the other side of the boat to keep small gear in. All this fits out of the walking path, as there is a 3-4" lip.

I also want to mount a "police" style search light on the CC for those late night trips... easier to aim that then hold my million candle light and navigate...

I really like the '71 catalog with the CC.... Alot....

 

[Azonic]

Re: Starcraft Mariner V to shallow/narrow for a center console?

Check out the Klamath boats website...they build center console aluminum fishing boats of this size and not a bad place for ideas on how to arrange things www.klamathboats.com

Those are wide CC's also... it looks like at least...

I will take the width into consideration for sure though..

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Starcraft Mariner V to shallow/narrow for a center console?

Azonic I agree that the Klamath CC designs are probably wider than 2' I was thinking the same thing actually. I would build it just wide enough for the steering wheel plus 4" on each side...probably around 2' so you are on the right track.

How wide is the beam at the desired location for the console?

That mariner in the '71 catalog is very nice...I'd love to see one of those for sale near me for $600 that needs work

Something about having the helm perfectly centered seems just right to me. I've driven plenty of boats with starboard consoles and the list is usually apparent(I only weigh 210 btw)

I appreciate being able to see your progress since I am planning on doing the same thing on the mid 70s 15' holiday.

 

[Azonic]

Re: Starcraft Mariner V to shallow/narrow for a center console?

Angler,

I like the center console idea, as it gives me a much better view of the world I feel. I aim to make the console wide enough for the wheel and controls, and tall enough for gauges and me. I think I may install a movable wind screen too.


What I am torn on is the rear live wells and the gas tanks...

The more I look at it, it seems to be over complicated.

I am looking for a great balance in the boat physically front to back.

However, I am looking for a good balance of form and function too...

Opinions?

 

[Greendiver]

Re: Starcraft Mariner V to shallow/narrow for a center console?

Well, the fuel tank could be mounted below deck similar to what I am planning. Or you could mount a fuel tank above deck like what matthewp is doing for his center console here http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=299519.

Keep working at it, it is encouraging to see others wrestle around with ideas a bit. Or to put it another way, misery loves company!

 

[Azonic]

Re: Starcraft Mariner V to shallow/narrow for a center console?

I went to ye ole bass pro lastnight...

Whoooooooooooo hoooooooooooooooooo!

They had a few center console boats I liked...

One jet drive wow!!

and a big nasty march boat powered by a v twin Kohler motor...

Several of the smaller center consoles had their fuel tank mounted forward of the console.

I may look at mounting my fuel cell just in front of the console, and take back the rear for minnows and fishes....

I got in the boat, the bow gets to narrow to fast to fit a fuel cell in there. I could mount one of my 6 gallon tanks in there, but it would be up high, and not a real clean install.

I will revert the front to storage for the front fisher...

Cooler just aft of the Console, Fuel Cell just forward...

I think it will lay out nice..

I intend to take out the old decking (riveted in)
and use it to help me with my final layout!

However, we are going night fishing this Friday (why I went to Bass pro, bought a green fishing light)

So no tearing the boat apart yet.... just plans...

 

[Azonic]

Re: Starcraft Mariner V to shallow/narrow for a center console?

Was looking at another center console project and was thinking about my controls...

I am going to have to get longer cables for my controls...
even steering I think....

Was planning on running those under the floor in some PVC.

Along with specific wiring...
I intend to put in dual batteries.
One under the console (deep cycle) for all components.
One in the splashwell area for the starter.

I will figure out a charging system for both.

I want the rear starter battery to charge first of course, but also want the front battery to get some charge since it wil run lights, electronics, gauges, search lights, etc...

However, I do not want the electronics battery to drain the starter battery...

So I will figure that one out...

Any ideas on if my current evinrude controls, with longer cables will do the trick? Or is there a specific center console set of controls I should get? Same for the steering?